Oh, Snowy, Sleepless Night

We're having a snowstorm here in Canada. Well, if we are having a snowstorm or not is up for some debate, according to learned Globe and Mail readers across Canada (please, please enjoy the comment section).  We were supposed to get 20-30 cms here, along with some blinding winds, etc.  Toronto District School Board cancelled school, which only the second time in E's teacher's career.  The secretaries at her school openly scoffed at me when I suggested that there may be a snow day. Yet it looks like our family imported them up to Canada.

The ROC (Rest Of Canada) is not amused at Toronto's antics.  This was not a reason to cancel school and work.  This was a measly few centimeters. In Alberta, this would barely register.  We're Canadians.  We live in the Arctic. What did everyone expect?  Put on your snow tires and deal with it.

Whatever. J still went to work (the airport couldn't function without him, eh?) but the rest of us have enjoyed remaining in our pajamas all morning, particularly after last night.

Shenanigans

If anyone has any sleep tips, we'd welcome them in Canada.

S and E seem to have a secret contest to see who can stay up later and make us look more incompetent as parents. So far S, who is only 2.5, seems to be winning. Last night, he outlasted everyone but me, staying up until 11:20 p.m.  Our night went something like this:

6:30 p.m. bathtime and P.J.s

7:00 p.m. stories

7:30 p.m. parents settle in upstairs to wait and make sure kids go to sleep. A is with S, J is with E.

8:00 p.m. S requests switch. Seems innocent. (Key error made here.) Switch is made.

Night descends into chaos.

S is potty training. When I say that, I really mean that E is insisting that S learn, and that S is going along with it, so it really means that now S has pull ups and sometimes uses the potty, when E remembers, because I certainly don't.  S is also now super particular about what pull up picture he has on at any one time, because he is 2.5, remember?  A lot of fun is had by all around this particular issue, including a lot of urine on the floor.

Sometimes S decides in the middle of his nighttime party that he has to go potty, and will take off his pajamas. If we're lucky, we'll catch him before he takes off his pull up, and hopefully there isn't anything in it.  Last night, he ran in and out of rooms yelling, "Naked baby style!" as J and I chased him and tried to get him to stay in his room. As soon as we'd put him in and walk away, he'd run out, yell "Strawberry Shortcake!" and run back in, as if to flaunt us.  Oh, yes, S, Strawberry Shortcake is so incendiary.  We couldn't even believe you'd use that kind of appalling language.

Of course, E is just howling with laughter during this evening entertainment, and no level of threats or punishments works for her, except closing her door, but that brings other problems which I won't detail here.  Let it be sufficient to say that we have not watched television today, and I can guarantee that a repeat of this scene will happen, if not tonight, then again in the next week, unless someone has some magic program or tip to try. And while E is normally a rule follower, she is quite adept at inciting S to all sorts of mischief, and then cautiously joining in herself.  Shortly, there are two naked kids, running from room to room, yelling "Naked Baby Style, Strawberry Shortcake" and all of a sudden it is 10 p.m. and you wonder if you will ever sleep.

E finally went to sleep after I went drill sergeant on her, and S went to bed after I held him still and he cried, at 11:15. He got mad at me and laid on top of J, glaring at me, and finally started snoring at 11:20 p.m.  He, at least, stays in his bed.  And at some point, E joined us at around 4:30-5 a.m., J took her back, and then she snuck back in again. I think she plots her campaigns secretly.  Do they teach that in the hospital nursery?  How to crawl in commando style into your parents' bed so that they won't wake up and boot you out? I'm too tired to notice her, but I would sleep better without her (sorry, E).

J said that he is going to work today because people listen to him there and don't hit him when he tells them to do something. I think that is a good reason, even if there is a snowstorm.